Shedding a Little Light on Reuse!

Does the following scenario sound familiar? You have acquired a plethora of functionally challenged lamps, but since they are Great Aunt Eunice's, you can't bear to part with them. Consequently, they have adopted the garage as a permanent home, taking over, in the process, that space once designated for vehicles.

A solution to this problem is to use the non-functioning, space-demanding lamps to create stylish, functional items for your home. In doing so, Aunt Eunice's legacy will continue on, and even the most experienced interior designer will envy your vision and flare.

Another possible dilemma: there is a room in your home that could use a little extra light to transform it from a dark, windowless abyss into a room evoking ambiance and warmth. Instead of spending a couple of hundred dollars on a bland, generic lamp, try constructing a lighting fixture inexpensively using discarded materials that you probably already have (they're probably covered up with Aunt Eunice's lamps). You are sure to create a lamp that will not only provide atmosphere but will surely spark conversation.

Robb Whittlef, a frequent guest on Home and Garden Television's Trash to Treasure series, offers many ideas on how to salvage old or non-working light fixtures to create stylish home accessories, and how to creatively reuse discarded items to create functional lamps.

A collection of old beads discovered at a yard sale can be used to create an eclectic lampshade; simply string the beads onto an antique lampshade frame. Or, give a tired lamp an update with a new coat of paint. Whittlef suggests spray-painting the exterior of a lampshade black and the interior gold, which will cause standard bulbs to emit a warm glow.

Another idea from Whittlef is to create a clever floor lamp using the base of an old metal stool. With a metal drill, construct a hole in the center of the base and attach interior lighting elements to the hole. Paint as desired and add a lampshade for a finishing touch.

An old non-functioning floor lamp can still be given new life when the wiring and bulbs are removed and candles are placed in the areas designated for the bulbs.

As each year progresses, have you observed a strange phenomenon in that your cupboards grow smaller and smaller? Or, perhaps you have just acquired more coffee and tea cups. Instead of continuing to try to find storage space for these excess cups (after all, you can only use so many for pencil holders), try attaching the cups to an antique chandelier frame with hot glue and setting votive candles inside.

For a quick transformation, turn a salvaged ceiling light fixture upside down and replace the electric bulb with tapers, adding sticky adhesive if necessary.

Instead of spending $200 on a new wall sconce, create one yourself using a little imagination and even less money. Remove the glass from a non-functioning exterior light, sand the piece, and add a rust-protecting compound. Using a nut and bolt, attach the piece to a backing that resembles a bookend in shape.

An old birdcage obtained at a yard sale can be uniquely reused as a lampshade when fabric is woven through the cage's bars. Finish by adding an inexpensive lighting element to the cage's interior. Even a birdcage lacking a bottom piece is easily reused as an interesting accent piece when fitted with lighting elements. Place mesh around the base to serve as a light diffuser.

Old lighting fixtures can also be reused into different items. For instance, simply invert a ceiling light fixture to create an inexpensive centerpiece. One option is to paint the interior and the exterior different colors, and then sand and stain the piece. The centerpiece is now ready to be filled with flowers or other items. A salvaged lighting globe is ideal as a vase; simply fill the globe with water and flowers. If the globe is clear, the fixture may be used as a new home for fish.

Any entry hall will benefit from a functional coat rack constructed from an antique light post fitted with a trellis base and a couple of hooks. Simply remove the lighting element and attach a wood block and finial to the top of the post, then finish with a coat of paint.

The arms from a discarded chandelier can be bent and suspended over a railing as a votive candleholder or used as a candlesnuffer.

Quickly transform salvaged metal lighting fixtures into potted plant holders by removing the fixture's interior hardware, inverting the piece, and placing a potted plant inside.

The possibilities are endless, whether you are searching for a new source of light or a way to incorporate old lamps into your décor.

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Last updated: August 01, 2008